Journal of Applied Horticulture, 9(1): 84-88, January-June, 2007
Appl
Variation in growth, dry matter production, nitrogen and
potassium uptake by six Musa genotypes in a soilless culture
K.P. Baiyeri and E. Ortese1
Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; 1Department of Crop Science, Akperan Orishi
College of Agriculture, Yandev, Benue State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Six genotypes comprising a landrace and a hybrid from each of the three Musa major genomic groups were evaluated in a soilless potting
mix. Effect of genotype on most of the growth parameters was non-signicant. But the uptake (total quantity accumulated, distribution
pattern and tissue concentration) of N and K was signicantly (P < 0.05) inuenced by genotype (G), age of plant at sampling (AP) and
G x AP interaction. Dessert bananas had higher N uptake while ‘PITA 22’ (a plantain hybrid) demonstrated an exceptional propensity
for K uptake. Nitrogen and potassium concentration varied with tissue, genotype and age of plant at sampling. Nitrogen concentration
in roots and leaves decreased with plant age while it increased in the corm. Potassium concentration in roots, corm and leaves increased
progressively with plant age in all the genotypes. Signicant differences in the quantity of N and K accumulated per plant, even though
all the genotypes were planted in the same potting mix, suggested differential nutrient mining capacity of the genotypes. Implying that
nutrient uptake and consequently nutrient demand varies with genotype, supplemental application would vary accordingly. The study
suggested that genotype that had higher nutrient uptake will impoverish the soil faster, and thus require more external nutrient inputs
to maintain/restore soil productivity.
Key words: Bananas and plantains, genotypic differences, nutrient uptake.
Introduction
Bananas and plantains (Musa species L.) are important staples in
West and Central Africa sub-region where they contribute to the
socio-economic wellbeing of the people. Per capita consumption
of plantain in some traditional production areas could be as high
as 150 kg (Vuylsteke et al., 1997).
The introduction of improved cultivar is one of the most effective
and cost-efcient means of enhancing crop productivity and
farmers’ incomes (Kueneman, 2002). However, ensuring
sustainability of production of improved cultivar in farmers’ eld
requires agronomic packages based on sound scientic principles.
Soil fertility management on small farms in the tropics has
become a major crop production issues, as a result of continued
land degradation and rapid population growth (FAO, 1981) and
external nutrient inputs are essential to improve and sustain crop
production on these soils (Hossner and Juo, 1999).
Earlier fertilizer recommendations in Nigeria were based on
landrace genotypes (Ndubizu, 1978; Obiefuna et al., 1981;
Obiefuna, 1984; Baiyeri, 2002). But recent Musa germplasm
evaluation studies in Nigeria had identied high yielding and
disease resistant hybrids that are adapted to some specic agroecological niches (Baiyeri et al, 2004; 2005). But before nal
release of a variety for large scale production, standardization of
the basic agronomic package will ensure sustainable production
in farmers’ field. Most important is the nutritional demand
for optimum production. In assessing nutrient requirements,
quantitative information should be obtained between yield and
nutrient uptake and between nutrient supply and crop demand
(Keerthisinghe et al., 2003).
Thus, an increased knowledge of the growth pattern and nutrient
uptake of the new hybrids can lead to a better understanding of
their responses under commercial conditions or in farmers’ eld.
Nitrogen and potassium are the key nutrient elements for optimum
growth and yield in Musa species (Twyford and Walmsley, 1974;
Lahav and Turner 1989; Lahav, 1995). Therefore, the general
objective of this study was to evaluate genotypic differences
in growth, biomass yield and uptake of key nutrient elements
in Musa germplasm. More specically, genotypic differences
in nitrogen and potassium mining capacity were determined to
establish differential nutrient demand by landrace and hybrid
genotypes.
Materials and methods
The experiment was conducted in the Department of Crop
Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, between May
2004 and June 2005. Suckers were generated following the method
described by Baiyeri and Aba (2005). The method ensured that
uniform sucker plantlets at a similar physiological age were used.
Besides, since the study was to compare growth and nitrogen and
potassium uptake by different Musa genotypes, the plantlets were
cut-back to allow a re-growth under the experimental conditions
provided. Six Musa genotypes belonging to the three major Musa
genomic groups were evaluated (Table 1). Each genome group
consisted of a landrace and a hybrid genotype.
The potting medium was ricehusk mixed with poultry manure at
3:2 (v/v) and composted for about ve months before use. The
medium was analyzed for elemental composition (Table 2). Potting
bag measured 60 x 60 cm in dimension and spaced 1 x 1 m after
planting. The experimental layout was completely randomized
design; each genotype was replicated nine times. Watering
frequency followed the recommendation of Baiyeri (1996).
Variation in growth, dry matter production, nitrogen and potassium uptake by six Musa genotypes
Table 1. List of genotypes evaluated
Genome
Name/Code
Breeding
group
status
Plantains
Agbagba
Landrace
[AGB]
PITA 22
[P22]
Dessert
bananas
Cooking
bananas
Hybrid
Nsukka Local Landrace
[NSK]
Source
Southern Nigeria
International Institute
of Tropical Agriculture
(IITA), Nigeria.
Southeastern Nigeria
FHIA 17
[F17]
Hybrid
Fougamou
[FOU]
Landrace
Fundacion Hondurena de
InvestigacionAgricola,
Honduras.
Southeast Asia
BITA 7
[BT7]
Hybrid
IITA
Table 2. Nutrient composition of the soilless culture (ricehusk plus
poultry manure in 3:2 v/v )
Nutrients
Quantity
Nitrogen (%)
1.86
Phosphorus (mg 100g-1)
18.34
Potassium (mg 100g-1)
8.15
Calcium (mg 100g-1)
1900.00
Magnesium (mg 100g-1)
346.67
Sulphur (mg 100g-1)
11.22
Data were collected monthly from the fourth month after planting
(MAP) to the sixth MAP. This growth period is physiologically
signicant in Musa because, it signals the transformation of the
plant from vegetative to reproductive growth stage (Ndubizu et
al., 1981; Stover and Simmond, 1987). Plant height, girth, number
of leaves and leaf area were measured. Leaf area was determined
following Obiefuna and Ndubizu (1979) method. Fresh weight
of plant components was determined and samples were dried at
70oC until constant weight was obtained, thereafter dry weight
was measured. Nitrogen and potassium content were determined
using dried samples milled to pass through 0.2 mm sieve using
Thomas Wiley Hammer Mill. Leaf number three from the top was
used for N and K determination following standard procedures as
recommended by AOAC (1981). Data collected were analyzed
85
as factorial completely randomized design to compare the main
effect of genotype, age of plants at sampling and the interaction
of these two factors. Signicance test of variance components
was by least signicant difference.
Results
The elemental composition of the potting medium after ve
months of composting is shown in Table 2. The relative abundance
of potassium was low while others were high. Growth parameters
of the six genotypes were in most cases similar irrespective of
age at sampling. However, signicant variations were obtained
in leaf area at four and ve months after planting (MAP), and in
plant girth and height at four and six MAP, respectively (Table 3).
Total dry matter production at the four and ve MAP was similar
in each genotype; however, there was a tremendous increase in
dry matter yield at six MAP (Fig 1a). Total dry matter yield was
generally higher in the landrace genotypes. Partitioning of dry
matter to above and below ground components varied with age
and genotypes (Fig. 1b). Partitioning pattern in ‘Nsukka Local’
was nearly equal between the above and the below ground
components. Exceptionally high proportion of the total dry matter
was reported in above ground part in ‘BITA 7’ and ‘PITA 22’ at
six MAP. The proportions of the total photo assimilate in different
plant parts are shown in Fig. 2. Generally, higher proportion of the
total dry matter was contributed by the leaf and corm irrespective
of genotype and age at sampling. The contribution of root to the
total dry matter decreased with plant age in most genotypes while
the contribution of leaf remained fairly stable over time in most
genotypes. There was inconsistent proportion of contribution of
the corm to the total dry matter yield.
The concentration of N and K in specic plant tissues was
signicantly (P < 0.05) inuenced by genotypes (Table 4).
The N concentration in root was highest in landrace dessert
banana ‘Nsukka Local’ and lowest in cooking banana landrace
‘Fougamou’. The quantity of N in the corm was highest in landrace
plantain ‘Agbagba’ and was closely followed by ‘Nsukka Local’.
‘BITA 7’, a cooking banana hybrid had the highest percent N in
the pseudostem and leaf, followed by ‘Nsukka Local’. Generally,
Table 3.The effects of age after planting on growth parameters of six Musa genotypes in a soilless culture
Genotype
Plant girth (cm)
Plant height (cm)
Number of leaves
M4
M5
M6
M4
M5
M6
M4
M5
M6
Agbagba
13.7
15.3
20.5
34.6
44.0
65.7
7.1
7.4
9.8
PITA 22
13.2
14.5
20.5
38.0
39.5
61.5
7.7
8.3
10.5
Nsukka Local
11.6
15.6
24.3
30.8
39.3
58.5
7.8
8.2
9.8
FHIA 17
14.6
17.0
21.3
36.0
41.6
60.8
9.1
8.3
9.9
Fougamou
15.7
15.5
21.3
32.4
40.8
60.8
7.9
8.2
9.9
BITA 7
12.9
15.2
19.7
31.9
39.5
57.4
8.2
8.7
9.3
LSD (P=0.05)
2.5
NS
NS
NS
NS
6.2
NS
NS
NS
M4, M5, M6: Plants at four, ve and six months after transplanting, respectively. NS: Non-signicant.
M4
624.2
554.9
381.3
658.6
568.9
513.3
174.3
Leaf area (cm2)
M5
M6
689.4
1114.7
578.0
965.0
624.1
958.3
836.3
1005.5
681.6
1005.5
680.7
983.4
153.1
NS
Table 4. Variation in nitrogen and potassium concentration in different plant components as inuenced by genotypes
Genotype
Nitrogen (%)
Potassium (mg 100g-1)
Root
Corm
Pseudostem
Leaves
Root
Corm
Pseudostem
Agbagba
1.34
1.60
1.10
1.81
70.0
74.0
19.0
PITA 22
1.43
1.11
1.35
1.69
197.0
250.0
219.0
Nsukka Local
3.08
1.50
2.02
2.20
89.0
75.0
21.0
FHIA 17
2.50
1.45
1.72
1.76
85.0
61.0
84.0
Fougamou
0.77
0.80
0.68
1.47
103.0
89.0
21.0
BITA 7
1.82
1.14
2.43
2.22
136.0
80.0
93.0
LSD (P=0.05)
0.10
0.01
0.04
0.04
2.7
4.5
3.1
Leaves
49.0
189.0
39.0
54.0
33.0
58.0
2.7
Variation in growth, dry matter production, nitrogen and potassium uptake by six Musa genotypes
50
3.0
Dry matter in
root (%)
B
2.5
2.0
40
D
30
20
10
0
1.5
50
1.0
Dry matter in
corm (%)
Ratio of above and below ground dry matter
86
0.5
0
C
40
30
20
10
0
M4
M5
160
A
Dry matter in
pseudostem (%)
180
M6
140
120
100
50
40
B
30
M4
M5
M6
20
10
0
80
60
50
40
40
20
0
AGB
P22
NSK
F17
Genotypes
FOU
Bt7
Fig. 1. The effects of genotype and age at sampling on [A] total dry
matter yield and [B] ratio of dry matter above ground to the dry matter
below ground.
the dessert bananas had higher tissue N while ‘Fougamou’, a
landrace cooking banana, had the lowest value of N in all the plant
components considered. ‘PITA 22’, a plantain hybrid, contained
the highest concentration of K in all the plant parts sampled. Also,
‘BITA 7’ had relatively high concentration of K in the tissues than
the remaining four genotypes. Earlier eld observation by the rst
Dry matter in
leaf (%)
-1
Total dry matter yield (g plant )
200
A
30
20
10
0
AGB
P22
NSK
F17
Genotypes
FOU
Bt7
Fig. 2. Dry matter distribution pattern in six Musa genotypes as inuenced
by age at sampling and plant components (A: leaf; B: pseudostem; C:
corm and D: root).
author revealed that these two genotypes had impressive growth
under limited water conditions when nine other genotypes went
in to growth dormancy.
Table 5. Variation in nitrogen and potassium concentration in different plant components as inuenced by age at sampling and genotypes
Genotype
Nitrogen (%)
Potassium (mg 100g-1)
Age
Root
Corm
Pseudostem
Leaves
Root
Corm
Pseudostem
Leaves
Agbagba
M4
1.64
1.79
1.23
2.05
35.0
73.0
1.2
46.0
M5
1.65
1.85
1.42
2.01
51.0
76.0
2.0
48.0
M6
1.37
2.26
1.44
1.95
137.0
87.0
3.0
53.0
PITA 22
M4
1.91
1.23
1.64
2.05
111.0
13.0
100.8
70.0
M5
1.81
1.25
1.70
2.00
117.0
20.0
126.7
80.0
M6
1.64
1.67
1.78
1.63
490.0
907.0
576.7
547.0
Nsukka Local
M4
4.37
1.64
2.19
2.46
84.0
75.0
1.1
25.0
M5
3.85
1.68
2.41
2.44
83.0
76.0
2.0
30.0
M6
3.03
2.01
2.40
2.28
132.0
90.0
2.0
40.0
FHIA 17
M4
3.28
1.78
2.19
2.32
81.0
46.0
84.1
50.0
M5
3.31
1.75
2.15
2.27
90.0
48.0
92.0
59.0
M6
2.73
1.89
2.05
1.71
101.0
92.0
80.0
50.0
Fougamou
M4
0.82
0.70
0.55
1.37
73.0
81.0
1.1
23.0
M5
0.84
0.70
0.62
1.39
76.0
88.0
3.0
28.0
M6
0.72
1.37
0.66
1.37
185.0
137.0
3.0
31.0
BITA 7
M4
2.19
1.10
3.01
2.87
148.0
64.0
86.2
56.0
M5
2.15
1.16
3.13
2.81
156.0
69.0
92.7
57.0
M6
1.58
1.50
3.03
1.96
177.0
138.0
117.0
69.0
LSD (P=0.05)
0.23
0.06
0.08
0.09
6.2
10.4
6.8
6.3
M4, M5 and M6 are plants at four, ve and six months after transplanting, respectively.
Variation in growth, dry matter production, nitrogen and potassium uptake by six Musa genotypes
87
Table 6. Variability in total nitrogen, total potassium and percent N and K distribution in plant components as inuenced by genotype
Genotype
Total N
Nitrogen distribution (%)
Total K
Potassium distribution (%)
(g plant-1)
(mg plant-1)
Root
Corm
Pseudostem
Leaf
Root
Corm
Pseudostem
Leaf
Agbagba
PITA 22
Nsukka Local
FHIA 17
Fougamou
BITA 7
LSD (P=0.05)
37.2
31.2
14.6
27.6
12.9
23.5
7.4
1.49
1.30
1.98
1.94
1.12
1.50
NS
13.8
10.9
19.7
14.8
9.8
8.4
5.3
30.8
21.9
35.8
28.3
35.9
21.7
11.4
17.3
31.4
17.2
22.8
15.0
30.7
5.3
38.0
35.7
27.3
34.1
39.4
39.2
8.2
44.3
248.3
53.5
66.9
76.1
64.3
69.3
17.2
13.3
20.0
13.7
23.9
16.6
6.6
44.6
15.1
64.8
29.6
62.3
35.7
11.2
1.0
40.3
0.6
29.1
0.9
24.2
3.2
-1
Total K (mg plant )
NS: non-signicant
700
650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
and the leaves. The highest proportion of the total plant N was
contributed by the leaves except in ‘Nsukka Local’. The quantity
of K accumulated varied signicantly (P < 0.05) with genotypes.
Total K accumulated was highest in ‘PITA 22’(a plantain hybrid)
whereas ‘Agbagba’ (a plantain landrace) contained the lowest
amount of K. Data in Table 6 revealed that the quantity of K in
the corm contributed most to the total K in landraces, whereas in
the hybrid it was due to the leaves and pseudostem.
M4
M5
M6
The quantity of N and K as inuenced by age at sampling and
genotype is shown in Fig. 3. Accumulation of N and K was highest
at six MAP for all genotypes. The quantity of N was generally
highest in the dessert bananas while the highest amount of K was
found in ‘PITA 22’ at six MAP.
4.5
-1
Total N (g plant )
4.0
3.5
M4
3.0
M5
2.5
M6
Discussion
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
AGB
P22
NSK
F17
Genotypes
FOU
Bt7
Fig. 3. The effect of genotype and age at sampling on total nitrogen (g
plant-1) and total potassium (mg plant -1) per plant.
There was signicant (P < 0.05) genotype by sampling age
interaction on N and K concentration in the entire plant tissues
sampled (Table 5). Generally, root N decreased with age while N
concentration in the corm increased with age in all genotypes. N
in pseudostem was relatively stable over time for each genotype,
however, leaf N slightly declined with age of sampling in all
genotypes. There was progressive increase in K concentration in
the roots and corm with age of plant in all genotypes. Similarly,
leaf K increased with plant age in all genotypes. K concentration
was exceptionally low in the pseudostem of all the landrace
genotypes. The quantity of K in ‘PITA 22’, a plantain hybrid, was
very high in all the tissues sampled at the sixth MAP.
The total N accumulation (g plant-1), K (mg plant-1) and the
percent contribution to these totals by the different plant parts is
shown in Table 6. The total N was statistically similar for all the
genotypes evaluated; however, higher quantity was accumulated
by the dessert bananas (‘Nsukka Local’ and ‘FHIA 17’). More than
60% of total N accumulated by the landraces was contributed by
the corm and the leaves. But for the hybrid (except ‘FHIA 17’)
total N was largely due to the contribution by the pseudostem
Variability in N and K with age of plant as recorded in this study has
been reported by other authors also (Twyford and Walmsley, 1974;
Samuels et al. 1978; Lahav, 1995). This suggested the need for
periodic external nutrient inputs. Periodic input through judicious
fertilizer management will ensure adequate tissue concentration
of these important elements. Adequate concentration will support
optimum plant growth and development.
The signicant differences in quantity of N and K accumulated
by the genotypes depicted differential nutrient mining capacity,
and so, fertilizer recommendation for optimum plant growth and
development will vary. There was an evident difference in N and
K uptake between landrace and hybrid within a genomic group,
an indication that nutritional requirement varied, and fertilizer
recommendation will therefore, also vary.
Non-signicant differences in dry matter yield was probably due
to differences in nutrient use efciency (NUE). The implication is
that detailed fertilizer study to elucidate NUE in Musa germplasm
is urgently needed to assure protable fertilizer input to bunch
yield output ratio. However, Samuels et al. (1978) reported that
dry matter yield of plantain is similar within the rst ve months
of growth. They reported a surge in growth from the sixth month
of planting similar to the results obtained in this experiment.
Pattern of N and K partitioning was inuenced by the combined
effects of plant age and genotype. Meaning that nutrient uptake
from the rhizosphere and distribution pattern within the plant
tissues was dependent upon plant type and age. Nutritional
status of Musa is usually monitored via leaf analysis; the lamina
of the third youngest leaf is recommended for sampling (Turner
and Lahav, 1983; Lahav, 1995). Leaf N and K in this study
was signicantly inuenced by genotype and age of plant. This
88
Variation in growth, dry matter production, nitrogen and potassium uptake by six Musa genotypes
result further supports the view that nutritional management
for optimum productivity should be genotype specic. While
K increased with plant age, signicant N decline at the 6 MAP
was probably because available nitrogen in the potting mix had
decreased through leaching and plant uptake. However, this result
might suggest a more regular N supplementation via fertilizer
application.
Evidences from the study suggested that higher N supplementation
was needed for dessert bananas, whereas K uptake by ‘PITA
22” was exceptionally high, suggesting the need for high K
supplementation to sustain productivity in a ratooning cropping
system. High K uptake by ‘PITA 22’ explained its high water
economy under water stressed savanna environment (unpublished
data of the first author). Potassium improves water use
efciency via osmotic regulation of plant stomata by modulating
transpiration of water and the penetration of atmospheric carbon
dioxide into the leaf (Fischer and Hsiao, 1968; Sawhney and
Zelitch, 1969; IPI, 2006). Therefore, breeding Musa genotypes for
water limited environment will be efcient by selecting genotypes
that possessed high K mining capacity. Furthermore, results
from this study revealed that in each genome group, hybrids
accumulated higher quantity of K. Given the fact that both hybrids
and landraces were planted in the same potting mix, it suggested
that hybrids had higher K mining capacity, thus selection for high
K uptake is possible within Musa germplasm. Higher K uptake
by the hybrids probably explained higher productivity of hybrids
than the landraces as commonly reported in relevant literatures.
Further studies to elucidate the physiological roles of K in
Musa, especially with regards to sustainable production under
water limited environments should urgently be carried out. This
should enhance breeding Musa germplasm for water stress prone
areas.
References
AOAC, 1981.Ofcial methods of analysis. Association of Ofcial
Analytical Chemists, Washington, D.C., USA.
Baiyeri, K.P. 1996. Water stress effects on plantain (Musa sp. AAB)
suckers grown under varying nitrogen and watering regime. African
Crop Science Journal, 4(2): 159-166
Baiyeri, K.P. 2002. Nitrogen fertilizer influenced harvest index
of plantain (Musa AAB, cv. Agbagba) in a sub-humid zone of
southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (USA),
20(1): 95-102.
Baiyeri, K.P. and S.C. Aba, 2005. Response of Musa Species to macropropagation: I: Genetic and initiation media effects on number,
quality and survival of plantlets at prenursery and early nursery
stages. African Journal Biotechnology, 4(3): 223-228
Baiyeri, K.P., B.N. Mbah, J.S.C. Mbagwu and A. Tenkouano, 2005.
Comparative morphophysiological and yield characteristics of Musa
genomes in Nigeria. Bio-Research, 3(1): 45-55.
Baiyeri, K.P., A. Tenkouano, B.N. Mbah and J.S.C. Mbagwu, 2004.
Phenological and yield evaluation of Musa genotypes under alley and
sole cropping systems in southeastern Nigeria. Tropical Subtropical
Agroecosystems, 4(3): 137-144.
FAO, 1981. Food and Agriculture Organization. Agriculture: Horizon
2000. Vol. 23. Development Economique et Social, FAO, Rome.
Fischer, R.A. and T.C. Hsiao, 1968. Stomatal opening in isolated
epidermal strips of Vicia faba. II. Responses to KCl concentration and
the role of potassium absorption. Plant Physiol., 43: 1953-1968.
Hossner, L.R. and A.S.R. Juo, 1999. Soil nutrient management for
sustained food crop production in upland farming systems in the
tropics. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center- An International
information center for farmers in Asia and Pacic Region. 19 pp.
IPI, 2006. Potassium in plant production. International Potash Institute:
http//www.ipipotash.org/slides/kipp2.html
Keerthisinghe, G., F. Zapata and P. Chalk, 2003. Plant nutrition:
challenges and tasks ahead. IFA-FAO Agriculture Conference Global
food security and the role of sustainable fertilization. Rome, Italy,
26-28 March 2003.
Kueneman, E.A. 2002. Foreword. In: P. Annicchiarico, Genotype x
environment interactions-Challenges and opportunities for plant
breeding and cultivar recommendations, p.iii. FAO Plant Production
and Protection Papers - 174.
Lahav, E. 1995. Banana nutrition. In: Bananas and Plantains, S. Gowen
(ed.), Chapman and Hall, London, pp. 258-316.
Lahav, E. and D.W. Turner, 1989. Banana Nutrition, Bull. 12,
International Potash Institute, Worblaufen-Bern, Switzerland.
Ndubizu, T.O.C. 1978. Effect of split fertilizer on the growth and yield
of false horn plantains (Musa spp.) in the rainforest belt of Nigeria.
Paper presented at the rst Annual Conference of the Horticultural
Society of Nigeria, Ibadan. November 3-6, 1978.
Ndubizu, T.O.C., J.C. Obiefuna and A.E. Manufor, 1981. Floral initiation
in Bini plantains. Paper presented at the 6th African Horticultural
Symposium, Ibadan. 19-25th July, 1981.
Obiefuna, J.C. 1984. Effect of delayed fertilizer application on the
growth and yield of plantains in Southwestern Nigeria. Fertilizer
Research, 5: 309-313.
Obiefuna, J.C. and T.O.C. Ndubizu, 1979. Estimating leaf area of
plantain. Scientia Horticulturae, 11: 31-36.
Obiefuna, J.C., P.K. Majumder and A.C. Ucheagwu, 1981. The effect
of the various nitrogen levels on the growth and yield of false horn
plantain cv. ‘Agbagba’. Paper presented at the 2nd International
Conference on Plantains and Cooking bananas, IITA Ibadan, 29th
July -3rd August, 1981.
Samuels, G., A. Beale and S. Torres, 1978. Nutrient content of the plantain
(Musa AAB group) during growth and fruit production. Journal
Agriculture University Puerto Rico, 62: 178-185.
Sawhney, B.L. and I. Zelitch, 1969. Direct determination of potassium
ion accumulation in guard cells in relation to stomatal opening in
light. Plant Physiology, 44: 1350-1354.
Stover, R.H. and N.W. Simmonds, 1987. Bananas. 3rd Edition, Longman,
London. 468 pp.
Turner, D.W. and E. Lahav, 1983. The growth of banana in relation to
temperature. Australian Journal Plant Physiolgy, 10: 43-53.
Twyford, I.T. and D. Walmsley. 1974. The mineral composition of the
Robusta banana plant II. The concentration of mineral constituents.
Plant and Soil, 41(3): 459-470.
Vuylsteke, D., R. Ortiz, R.S.B. Ferris and J.H. Crouch, 1997. Plantain
improvement. Plant Breeding Reviews, 14: 267-320.